System for and method of draining fluid

ABSTRACT

A system for draining fluid comprises a drain adapter configured for attachment to a first fluid container, an actuator that is removably attachable to the drain adapter and a second fluid container. The drain adapter has a closed position, in which fluid is prevented from draining from the first fluid container, and an open position, in which the fluid is allowed to drain from the first fluid container. The drain adapter is self-biased to the closed position. Attachment of the actuator to the drain adapter causes the drain adapter to be in the open position and removal of the actuator from the drain adapter causes the drain adapter to return to the closed position. The second fluid container is removably attachable to the drain adapter and contains fluid drained from the first fluid container when the drain adapter is in the open position.

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 60/842,461, the entire contents of which are herebyincorporated by reference.

FILED OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to systems and methods fordraining and containing a fluid.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Engines and many other types of machines include various fluids (e.g.,water, coolants, lubricants, gear oil, motor oil, transmission fluid,hydraulic fluids, brake fluids, etc.) that require periodic draining andreplacement. Draining the fluids typically includes removing a drainplug in the system containing the fluid and allowing the fluid to draininto a first container, typically a large pan, that is placed below theopen drain hole.

During the draining process the fluid often is spilled, dripped andsplashed on the floor or ground below, on the equipment and on theperson draining the fluid. Such spills require cleaning and disposal ofthe residue. Further, the fluid must be properly disposed of/recycled toincrease safety, reduce pollution and conserve resources. Properlydisposing of the fluid typically requires the drained fluid to be pouredfrom the first container into a second container for transport to theappropriate disposal/recycling location.

In view of the foregoing, there is a need for a system for more easilyand neatly draining the fluids that can also contain the fluids andreduce or substantially eliminate splashing, spilling, dripping of thefluid.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a system for and a method of drainingfluid. In an embodiment, the system comprises a drain adapter configuredfor attachment to a first fluid container, an actuator that is removablyattachable to the drain adapter and a second fluid container. The drainadapter has a closed position, in which fluid is prevented from drainingfrom the first fluid container, and an open position, in which the fluidis allowed to drain from the first fluid container. The drain adapter isself-biased to the closed position. Attachment of the actuator to thedrain adapter causes the drain adapter to be in the open position andremoval of the actuator from the drain adapter causes the drain adapterto return to the closed position. The second fluid container isremovably attachable to the drain adapter and contains fluid drainedfrom the first fluid container when the drain adapter is in the openposition.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is described with respect to particular exemplaryembodiments thereof and reference is accordingly made to the drawings inwhich:

FIG. 1 shows a pictorial view of a fluid draining system in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows a side view of the fluid drawing system in accordance withan embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 shows the fluid draining system separated into three parts,including a handle, a fluid container and a drain adapter, in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 shows a cut-away view of the fluid draining system separated intothe three parts in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 5 shows the fluid draining system with the handle attached to thefluid container in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 6 shows a pictorial view of the fluid draining system with thehandle being attached to the fluid container in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart diagram that illustrates method operationsperformed in using the oil draining system in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 shows a pictorial view of a fluid draining system having anon-coil spring retainer in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 9 shows a top view of a spring retainer and valve in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 shows a bottom view of a spring retainer and a valve inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 shows a cut-away view of the fluid draining system in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 12A-B show cut-away views of a valve and valve collar of the fluiddraining system in closed and open positions, respectively, accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 13 shows a cut-away view of a fluid container valve assembly inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a pictorial view of a fluid draining system 100 in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention. The system 100 includes adrain adapter 102, a handle 104 and a fluid container 106.

FIG. 2 shows a side view of the system 100 in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention. The adapter 102 includes a fluidvalve assembly including a valve 108 and a valve collar 110 having avalve seat 112 at its top portion. The valve collar 110 may be threadedso that it can be attached to machinery by being threaded into athreaded receptacle for an original drain plug (not shown). The valve108 is shown in FIG. 2 in an open position. In a closed position, thevalve 108 contacts the valve seat 112.

FIG. 3 shows the system 100 separated into the three parts: the drainadapter 102; the handle 104; and the fluid container 106, in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 3, the adapter 102is shown connected to a fluid container 114 of piece of machinery 116 inplace of the drain plug (not shown) that was previously part of themachinery 116.

FIG. 4 shows a cut-away view of the system 100 separated into the threeparts: the drain adapter 102; the handle 104; and the fluid container106, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4also shows various cutaway details of the adapter 102, the handle 104and the fluid container 106. Referring to the adapter 102, the valve 108is shown in the closed position with the valve substantially sealed tothe valve seat 112 of the valve collar 110. The valve assembly can alsoinclude a coil spring 118 that biases the valve into the closedposition. The adapter 102 also includes an opening 120 into which avalve actuator 122 can enter. The actuator 122 is coupled to the handle104 and may include a wedge portion which slides against the valve 108to push the valve 108 open when the actuator 122 is inserted into theopening 120.

It will be apparent that the wedge portion of the actuator 122 generatesa mechanical advantage by converting the force applied by a personsliding the actuator 122 into the drain adapter 102 into a valve-openingforce. It will be apparent that another means of generating a mechanicaladvantage may be used in conjunction with sliding the actuator 122 intothe drain adapter 102. For example, a lever or gearset may be utilizedto actuate the valve 108.

FIG. 5 shows the fluid draining system with the handle attached to thefluid container in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention. Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, as the wedge portion of theactuator 122 enters the opening 120, the wedge catches a lower end 124of the valve 108 and forces the valve upward against the tension of thespring 118. Thus, the actuator 112 pushes the valve 108 in a directioninto the fluid container 114 to open the valve 108. A valve stem 126extends from the valve 108, though the valve collar 110 and is connectedto the lower end 124 of the valve.

FIG. 6 shows a pictorial view of the fluid draining system 100 with thehandle 104 being attached to the fluid container 106 in accordance withan embodiment of the present invention. Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 6,a fluid container assembly includes the fluid container 106 and a fluidcontainer collar 128 coupled to the fluid container 106. The fluidcontainer 106 is secured to the handle 104 by a locking mechanism. Thefluid container collar 128 includes a first portion 130 of the lockingmechanism. Correspondingly, a second portion 132 of the locking systemthat can intermesh with the first portion 130 of the locking mechanismis coupled to the handle 104. As shown in FIG. 6, the first portion 130and the second portion 132 of the locking mechanism are secured to eachother by inserting the second portion 130 into the first portion androtating them 90 degrees with respect to each other. It should beunderstood that any type of locking mechanism could be used (e.g.,threaded, friction, o-ringed, with a locking pin, or any other suitablesystem).

As shown in FIG. 6, a residue remover 134 can also be coupled to thehandle 104. The residue remover 134 removes fluid residue from the valveassembly of the drain adapter 102 as the handle is removed from thedrain adapter 102. By way of example, the residue remover 134 can be anabsorbent pad or a squeegee having a flexible edge that wipes the resideor other system to substantially remove fluid residue from the adapter102 so as to inhibit dripping of the fluid after the actuator 122 isremoved from the adapter 102.

When the actuator 122 is inserted into the adapter 102 and the valveassembly of the adapter 102 is in the open position, fluid drains fromthe machinery 116 and into the fluid container 106 via an opening 136 inthe collar 128. The handle 104 may also include an opening 138 throughwhich the fluid passes. The collar 128 can also include a valve 140 thatautomatically closes the opening 136 in the collar 128 when the handle104 is not connected to the fluid container 106. The valve 140 canthereby minimize fluid spillage from the fluid container 106 after thefluid has been drained into the fluid container 106. Alternatively oradditionally, a removable cap (not shown) can be used to close theopening 136.

Referring again to FIG. 4, the drain adapter 102 can include an outersleeve 142 and an inner housing 144. The sleeve 142 is slidable withrespect to the inner housing 144. The valve collar 110 is attached tothe inner housing 114 so that the valve 108 and valve assembly are alsoattached to the inner housing 144. The coil spring 124 may be containedwithin the inner housing 144. The opening 120 may be formed in the innerhousing 144. The inner housing 144 may include an opening 146 throughwhich the fluid drains when the valve 108 is opened. When the fluid isnot being drained, the outer sleeve covers the opening 146 and protectsthe valve assembly from damage which might be caused by debris enteringthe opening 146. In this closed position, the drain adapter 102 issubstantially the shape of a rectangular box. Both the outer sleeve 142and the inner housing 144 can have a rectangular cross section. Inaddition, the opening 120 and the actuator 120 can have a rectangularcross section.

In a preferred embodiment, when the actuator 122 is inserted into theopening 120 of the inner housing 144, the assembled handle 104 and fluidcontainer 106 push against the outer sleeve 142 which causes the outersleeve 142 to slide back, exposing the opening 146. When the actuator122 is removed, the outer sleeve 142 may automatically slide back intothe closed position. For example, a spring may be attached to the outersleeve 142 and the inner housing 144 to bias the outer sleeve 142 tothis closed position. Alternatively, the outer sleeve 142 may be slidback and forth manually. For example, when the fluid is to be drained,the person draining the fluid may first slide the outer sleeve 142 backand, then, once the fluid has been drained, the person may slide theouter sleeve 142 to the closed position.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart diagram that illustrates method operationsperformed in using the system 100 for draining fluid in accordance withan embodiment of the present invention. In an operation 705, the drainadapter 102 is installed to a piece of machinery 116. More particularly,a threaded drain plug of a fluid container 114 of the machinery 116 maybe removed and the adapter 102 may be attached to the machinery 114 bythe threaded portion of the collar 110 being installed in place of thedrain plug.

To drain the fluid in the machinery 116, the fluid container 106 may besecured to the handle 104 in an operation 710. The fluid container 106,the handle 104 and the actuator 122 are thus assembled as a single unit.In an operation 715, the actuator 122 is inserted into the adapter 102.This may be accomplished by a person taking a hold of the handle 104,inserting the actuator 122 into the opening 120 of the drain adapter 102and moving (i.e. sliding) the actuator 122 into position.

As the actuator 122 is inserted fully into the adapter 102, the valve108 is opened and the fluid is allowed to drain from the machinery 116into the fluid container 106 in an operation 720. The assembled handle104 and fluid container 106 are thus attached to the drain adapter 102while the fluid is drained. The fluid can drain through the opening 140in the handle 104 and the opening 136 in the collar 130.

When the fluid is drained into the fluid container 106, the actuator 122is removed from the adapter 102 in an operation 725. This may beaccomplished by pulling the handle 104. The valve 108 then closes undertension of the spring 118.

In an operation 730, the fluid container 106 can be removed from thehandle 104.

The drain adapter 102 can remain attached to the machinery 116 uponcompletion of the method. Therefore, once the drain adapter 102 has beeninstalled, the fluid can be drained easily and conveniently without theuse of mechanic's tools, such as a wrench, and without having tomanipulate a threaded fastener.

The fluid container 106 can be sufficiently large to accommodate atleast the volume of fluid to be drained. Alternatively, if the volume offluid to be drained is larger than the largest size fluid container 106available, then the actuator 122 can be removed from the adapter 102when the fluid container 106 is nearly filled to capacity. Another fluidcontainer can be attached to the handle 104 and the process repeateduntil the desired volume of fluid is drained from the machinery 114.

The fluid-filled fluid container 106 can be used as the container todeliver the fluid for disposal/recycling. The fluid container 106 can bemade from any suitable material that is compatible with the fluid to bedrained. The fluid container 106 can be a bag formed from a flexiblematerial such as polyethylene so that the fluid container can fit intotight spaces. For example, there may be insufficient vertical clearancefor the fluid container 106 to hang down from the handle 104.

The adapter 102, the handle 104 and the various components thereof canbe formed from any suitable materials compatible with the environment,the desired wear and tear characteristics and compatible with thefluids. For example, the handle 104 and the fluid container collar 128are preferably formed of plastic. However, because the drain adapter 102may be left attached to the machinery 116 during normal operation of themachinery 116, the drain adapter 102 is preferably formed primarily ofmetal, such as steel.

In an embodiment, the machinery 116 is an automobile and the fluid isoil used to lubricate an internal combustion engine of the automobile.In this case, the drain adapter 102 is attached to an oil pan of theautomobile. For such an application, the profile of the drain adapter102 is preferably minimized so as to provide clearance between the drainadapter 102 and other elements of the automobile and between the drainadapter 102 and the roadway. In a preferred embodiment, the height ofthe outer sleeve 142 of the drain adapter 102 is approximately 16 mm orless.

As described above, the valve assembly of the drain adapter 102comprises the coil spring 118 that biases the valve 108 into contactwith the valve seat 124 to close the valve. The valve 108 is opened bythe actuator 122 separating the valve 108 from the valve seat 124 bypushing the valve 108 into the fluid container 114 of the machinery 116.

In an alternative embodiment, the valve assembly comprises a non-coiledspring retainer that biases a valve into contact with a valve seat toclose the valve. In this embodiment, the valve is opened by the actuatorseparating the valve from the valve seat by pushing the valve in adirection away from the fluid container of the machinery.

FIG. 8 shows a pictorial view of a fluid draining system 100′ inaccordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention.Elements of the system 100′ that correspond to those of the system 100are given like reference numerals. The system 100′ includes the sameelements and functions in the same way as the system 100 with theexception of differences discussed below. As before, the system 100′includes a drain adapter 102, a handle 104, and a fluid container 106.And, a valve actuator 122 coupled to the handle 104 opens a valveassembly of the drain adapter 102 when the actuator 122 is inserted intoan opening 120 in the drain adapter 102. However, rather than a coilspring 118 as in the embodiments of FIGS. 1-6, a non-coiled springretainer 148 is provided in this embodiment.

FIG. 9 shows a top view of the spring retainer 148 and a valve 150. Asshown in FIG. 9, the valve 150 is attached to a valve frame member 152.The valve frame member 152 is supported at each end by the springretainer 148, with a first spring retainer portion 148A supporting oneend of the frame member 152 and a second spring retainer portion 148Bsupporting the other end of the frame member 152. The first and secondspring retainer portions 148A and 148B have a substantial bows shapewhen relieved of tension.

FIG. 10 shows a bottom view of the spring retainer 148 and the valve 150in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As shown inFIG. 10, the spring retainer portions 148A and 148B may each includeopenings 154. In this case, the frame member 152 includes posts 156 thatfit into the openings 154 to prevent the frame member 152 from slippingoff of the spring retainer 148.

FIG. 11 shows a cut-away view of the fluid draining system 100′ inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG.11, a threaded portion of a valve collar 158 is attached to a fluidcontainer 114 of machinery 116. In addition, the actuator 122 isinserted into the drain adapter 102 and the outer sleeve 142 is slidback from the valve assembly which is attached to the inner housing 144.As is also shown in FIG. 11, the valve 150 is pushed down against thetension of the spring retainer 148 and in a direction away from thefluid container 114. The valve 150 is, therefore, opened which allowsfluid from drain from the container 114 of the machinery 114 to thefluid container 106.

The actuator 122 includes wedge portions, each of which slides againstthe ends of the valve frame 152 to apply tension to each of the springretainer portions 148A and 148B. The application of tension tends toflatten the bow shape of the spring retainer portions 148A and 148B,thus, pulling the valve 150 open.

FIGS. 12A-B show cut-away views of a valve assembly including the valve150 and the valve collar 158 of the fluid draining system 100′ in closedand open positions, respectively, accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention. More particularly, FIG. 12A shows the valve 150 in aclosed position in which the valve 150 is substantially sealed against avalve seat 160 of the collar 158. The valve 150 is biased in the closedposition by the spring retainer 148. The collar 158 may include acylindrical guide channel 162 into which a cylindrical guide 164extends. The guide 164 is coupled to the valve 150 and tends to keep thevalve 150 aligned with the valve seat 160 while the valve 150 is beingopened and closed. The valve seat 160 may include a rubber orrubber-like gasket or over-mold to improve the quality of the sealbetween the valve 150 and the valve seat 160 when the valve 150 isclosed. In an embodiment, the gasket is formed of a thermoplasticelastomer that is both heat and oil resistant.

FIG. 12B shows the valve 150 in an open position in which the valve 150is pushed away from the valve seat 160. In this position, fluid isallowed to drain from the machinery 116, as shown by the arrows. Also,in the open position, the guide 164 is partially extracted from theguide channel 162. Referring again to FIG. 9, the fluid may travelthrough passages 166 provided in the valve frame member 152.

FIG. 13 shows a cut-away view of a valve assembly for the fluidcontainer 106 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.As shown in FIG. 13, the valve assembly includes an upper valve portion168 and a lower valve portion 170, each having openings (e.g. four). Thehandle 104 may be attached to the fluid container 106 by the lockingmechanism 130, 132 shown in FIGS. 4 and 6. In addition, rotation of thehandle 104 during attachment to the fluid container 106 causes theopenings in the upper valve portion 168 and the lower valve portion 170to become aligned which opens the valve assembly by forming fluidpassages 170. Conversely, rotation of the handle 104 in the oppositedirection during removal of the fluid container 106 from the handle 104causes the openings to be out of alignment, thereby closing the passages170 and closing the valve assembly.

When the valve 150 of the drain adapter 102 is opened, its lower surfacemay contact an upper surface 174 of the collar 128. In an embodiment,the upper surface 174 comprises a rubber or rubber-like gasket orover-mold to improve the quality of the seal between the valve 150 andthe collar 128 when the valve 150 is opened. In an embodiment, thegasket is formed of a thermoplastic elastomer that is both heat and oilresistant.

Although the foregoing invention has been described in some detail forpurposes of clarity of understanding, it will be apparent that certainchanges and modifications may be practiced within the scope of thedescribed embodiments. Accordingly, the present embodiments are to beconsidered as illustrative and not restrictive, and the invention is notto be limited to the details given herein, but may be modified withinthe scope and equivalents of the described embodiments.

1. A system for draining fluid comprising: a drain adapter configuredfor attachment to a first fluid container, the drain adapter having aclosed position in which fluid is prevented from draining from the firstfluid container and an open position in which the fluid is allowed todrain from the first fluid container, the drain adapter beingself-biased to the closed position; an actuator that is removablyattachable to the drain adapter, wherein attachment of the actuator tothe drain adapter causes the drain adapter to be in the open positionand removal of the actuator from the drain adapter causes the drainadapter to return to the closed position; and a second fluid containerthat is removably attachable to the drain adapter for containing fluiddrained from the first fluid container when the drain adapter is in theopen position.
 2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the firstfluid container is part of machinery.
 3. The system according to claim2, wherein the drain adapter remains attached to the machinery duringoperation of the machinery.
 4. The system according to claim 2, whereinthe machinery comprises an internal combustion engine and the firstfluid container is an oil pan of the internal combustion engine.
 5. Thesystem according to claim 1, wherein the drain adapter is attached tothe machinery by a threaded valve collar that replaces a threaded plug.6. The system according to claim 1, wherein the actuator is attached tothe drain adapter by sliding the actuator into an opening in the drainadapter.
 7. The system according to claim 6, further comprising meansfor obtaining a mechanical advantage for converting a force of slidingthe actuator into a valve-opening force.
 8. The system according toclaim 1, wherein the drain adapter comprises an outer sleeve and aninner housing, the inner housing containing a valve and the outer sleevebeing slidable with respect to the inner housing.
 9. The systemaccording to claim 1, wherein the second fluid container comprises aflexible bag.
 10. The system according to claim 1, wherein the drainadapter comprises a valve collar having a valve seat, a valve having avalve stem that extends through the valve collar and a coil spring thatbiases the valve and the valve seat into contact with each other toclose the valve.
 11. The system according to claim 10, wherein the valveis opened by the actuator separating the valve from the valve seat bypushing the valve into the first fluid container.
 12. The systemaccording to claim 11, wherein the drain adapter comprises an openingand the actuator comprises a wedge wherein insertion of the wedge intothe opening causes the wedge to slidably engage the drain adapter toopen the valve.
 13. The system according to claim 1, wherein the drainadapter comprises a valve collar having a valve seat, a valve and anon-coiled spring retainer that biases the valve and the valve seat intocontact with each other to close the valve.
 14. The system according toclaim 13, wherein the valve is opened by the actuator separating thevalve from the valve seat by pushing the valve in a direction away fromthe first fluid container.
 15. The system according to claim 14, whereinthe drain adapter comprises an opening and the actuator comprises awedge wherein insertion of the wedge into the opening causes the wedgeto slidably engage the drain adapter to open the valve.
 16. The systemaccording to claim 1, further comprising a handle coupled to theactuator wherein the handle is removably attachable to the second fluidcontainer.
 17. The system according to claim 16, further comprising avalve for retaining fluid in the second fluid container.
 18. The systemaccording to claim 17, wherein attachment of the handle to the secondfluid container causes the valve to be opened and removal of the handlefrom the second fluid container causes the valve to be closed.
 19. Amethod of draining fluid comprising: installing a drain adapter to afirst fluid container, the drain adapter having a closed position inwhich fluid is prevented from draining from the first fluid containerand an open position in which the fluid is allowed to drain from thefirst fluid container, the drain adapter being self-biased to the closedposition; attaching a second fluid container to an actuator; attachingthe actuator to the drain adaptor which causes the drain adapter to bein the open position such that fluid drains from the first fluidcontainer to the second fluid container; detaching the second fluidcontainer from the drain adapter which causes the drain adapter torevert to the closed position; and detaching the second fluid containerfrom the actuator.
 20. The method according to claim 19, wherein saidattaching the second fluid container to an actuator opens a valve forcontaining fluid in the second fluid container and wherein saiddetaching the second fluid container from the actuator closes the valve.21. The system according to claim 19, wherein said attaching theactuator to the drain adaptor comprises sliding the actuator into anopening.
 22. The system according to claim 21, the drain adapter havingouter sleeve and an inner housing and wherein said attaching theactuator to the drain adaptor further comprises sliding the outer sleevewith respect to the inner housing.
 23. The system according to claim 19,wherein said steps of attaching a second fluid container to an actuator,attaching the actuator to the drain adaptor, detaching the second fluidcontainer from the drain adapter, and detaching the second fluidcontainer from the actuator do not involve manipulation of a threadedfastener.